Supreme Court Orders For Senior Citizens To Be Given Seniority In Private And Government Hospitals

OVERVIEW 

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the states to ensure prioritizing senior citizens in hospitals.

The Court passed directions addressing the plea filed by former Law Minister Dr. Ashwini Kumar seeking the protection of rights of senior citizens.

BACKGROUND 

The Apex Court, in its order passed on August 4, 2020, had issued guidelines stating that elderly citizens entitled to pension shall be paid regularly and anyone who identified as a senior citizen be provided with the necessary precautionary measures by their respective states.

On September 7, 2020 had also asked all states to submit their affidavits within 4 weeks. However, no state except Punjab and Odisha filed their response mentioning the steps undertaken in accordance with the order. 

Further, the replies filed by the states did not consist the details of the steps taken by the states to monitor the situation. 

The Court had also passed an order on December 13, 2018 requiring the Union to procure necessary information from all State governments and union territories regarding the number of old age homes, and medical and geriatric care facilities available to them in each district of the country and submit a Status Report stating the same.

The Court, stating that it was high time the Government of India revised the schemes and provisions under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act, asked the Central and State governments to revisit the grant of pension to the elderly to establish the availability of finances of the Centre and states.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 

The former Union Minister elaborated on how older people living alone are the ‘worst sufferers’ and are unable to get medicines, masks, sanitizers and other essential goods due to their circumstances and conditions. Further, he also observed how their caretakers are also unequipped with personal protection and are untrained.

Dr. Kumar through his petition informed the Court that state governments are yet to file in their responses in respect to the order passed by the Apex on September 7. On observing the same, the Court issued directives to the states to submit their responses within the upcoming three weeks.

CONCLUSION 

The division bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and Subhash Reddy thus issued directives to prioritise admission of the elderly in all private and government hospitals of the country, and asked the Stated to submit their responses within three weeks regarding the petitioner’s suggestions to issue necessary measures of precautions for the ones in need.

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